Washington vs. Eagles NFL injury report, spread: Line rises again with Garrett Gilbert to start for WFT and Philly QB Jalen Hurts planning to play Tuesday

The Washington Football Team visits the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday for a critical NFC East battle at Lincoln Financial Field, but it looks like Philly has the clear edge. Both teams are 6-7 and fighting for their playoff lives after Minnesota and New Orleans both moved to 7-7 with wins in NFL Week 15.

The NFL odds have been on a roller-coaster for this game as the quarterback situations for both teams were playing out. Philadelphia opened as a four-point favorite at Caesars Sportsbook last week before the line soared as high as 12 at some books. It moved three points -- from 6.5 to Eagles -9.5 -- Tuesday afternoon, and the Over-Under has dropped from its open at 44 down to 40.5.

That's because Washington will be forced to go with Garrett Gilbert at quarterback after starter Taylor Heinicke and backup Kyle Allen both failed to clear COVID protocols Tuesday. Heinicke had led WFT to four straight wins before a 27-20 loss to likely NFC East champion Dallas in Week 14.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are eagerly anticipating the return of quarterback Jalen Hurts, who missed a Week 13 victory against the Jets with an ankle injury. That was Philly's fourth win in its past six games, and Philadelphia had its bye in Week 14.

Hurts leads the NFL's top rushing attack, which averages 160 yards per game. Hurts has 2,435 passing yards in 12 games but does a lot of damage on the ground. He has a team-high 695 rushing yards and eight TDs. Running back Miles Sanders rushed for 120 in Hurt's absence in Week 13.    

Gilbert, a sixth-round pick of the Rams in 2014 out of SMU, was signed off New England's practice squad late last week. He has one career start and was a backup in Carolina in 2018 under current Washington coach Ron Rivera. 

Gilbert appeared in one game with the Panthers, completing two of three passes, and went 0-for-3 in one game with the Browns in 2019. The quarterback's only start was last season with the Cowboys, a 24-19 loss to the Steelers. He completed 21 of 38 passes for 243 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

Washington also will be without running back DJ McKissic, who is second on the team with 43 receptions, as he deals with a neck injury after he cleared concussion protocols. 

The team did get some good news, with top receiver Terry McLaurin scheduled to play after he also recovered from a concussion. McLaurin has a team-high 61 catches for 808 yards and five TDs.

Washington won both meetings between the teams last season after the Eagles had won six in a row.         

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